Hello :-)
> barlow
Don't get a barlow, get a decent eyepiece instead :-) Budget barlows reduce the contrast.
> eyepiece
Get a long eye-relief 4mm 58° HR Planetary for $30-$45, or a better eyepiece :-)
> closer, more details.
At some point, things just get dim and dull. Do not push these telescopes past 200x. It will work for the moon, but not really for planets. At 4mm they might still look small, but at 260x for example they are so dim you can't really see detail. I've a 3.2mm and 2.5mm eyepiece. The 3.2mm... debatable. The 2.5mm... Way too much :-)
Field simulation: http://blog.pixelgiraffe.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/130-650-high_3.png
Planetary eyepiece example links (YMMV):
> And one that would be great on a higher end telescope in the future.
The short focal length of the Z130 has different requirements than a possible future telescope with larger aperture. As those will most likely have a longer focal-length. E.g. in a 8" dobsonian, the 4mm would result in 300x magnification. This can be nice when atmospheric seeing conditions allow it, but it would be less frequently. IF seeing's nice, it's amazing though.
For moon and planets, maybe.
I've tinkered with video astronomy / EAA using my Heritage 130p (also a 130/650 telescope) on a refurbished STL mount. Using a modified CCTV camera back then. It can work for deep-sky, but it's not as easy as it may sound.
> monitor
You will still need to focus manually, or invest / tinker. You can't just change magnifications unless you have a (motorized) eyepiece turret (that will be a weight problem on the z130).
> record
If you just want to tinker without spending a lot of money:
You can use a phone holder to attach your smartphone. Make sure to use an app with manual focus/exposure when trying to take pictures directly. You'll get a feel for how difficult it is at such focal-lengths.
AND you can use something like droidcam: View your camere remotely from another device via the browser, or even as wireless webcam from your computer. Where you can easily record/take pictures.
Phone-through-eyepiece has some down-sides, but the best accessories are the ones you already have :-)
> sky that are not stars or planets. But other objects that are unknowns. Less than $3000 is preferable.
Unknown?
You may have to consider a different set-up for something "serious". u/deepskylistener already worte about EAA.
For any sort of imaging, it's all about the tracking mount. EAA has short integration times so a cheaper one can work, and it doesn't necessarily has to be an equatorial mount.
You've already mentioned cloudynights, they have an entire board for EAA/electronically assisted astronomy.
https://www.cloudynights.com/forum/73-electronically-assisted-astronomy-eaa/
Clear skies :-)
Skip the barlow :-)
You're money is better spent on a dedicated eyepiece with long eye-relief.
A $10-$20 barlow will reduce the contrast.
The 4mm 58° HR Planetary clone eyepiece costs $40 most of the time, and $20 or so when on sale.
130/650 field of view simulation
150/750 field of view simulation
Barlownstuff
Example for the 4mm 58°, often cheaper:
> 4mm
Probably the 4mm kit eyepiece, R/SR (Ramsden-type)?
> tall
Observing standing over a longer period of time isn't ideal with almost any telescope anyway :-) 1, 2.
Many here suggest the Ikea Kyrre. BUT I only have the 130p and I am not sure if it has similar dimensions (I suppose you could put a board on it if it's too small). Either way, it's also just a stool, but it's compact and a good height if you observe seated.
For my 130p I also use a Bekväm step-stool, but the base is a bit narrow and it works by letting the feet stand over and the center bolt sitting in the "handle" hole.
Here someone uses a small folding camping table/stool https://www.reddit.com/r/telescopes/comments/bhmhqq/zhumell_z130_first_experiences_and_thoughts/
> towards the z130
Also consider a 4mm 58° type eyepiece, they are sometimes on sale, regularly $4X.
http://blog.pixelgiraffe.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/130-650-high_3.png
(The 4mm or 3.2mm 58° give the best contrast while still affordable. There are cheaper options, e.g. a $15-$20 achromatic barlow, but it'll reduce contrast.)
The other option would be the ~$300 6-inch dobsonian, a cheaper 6mm eyepiece, and it's higher up as the tube's longer.